ORANGEBURG, SC—Senior center Jason Johnson recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds as South Carolina State cruised to a 65-53 victory over Bethune-Cookman Saturday at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
The Wildcats were led by freshman C.J Reed with 19 points, while senior John Holmes tossed in 15 points in the loss.
The Bulldogs controlled the first-half jumping out to their biggest lead of the half 15, 22-7 at the 8:53 mark off a 3-pointer by Kensha Johnson. The Wildcats cut the lead to seven, 24-17 on a tip-in by Kene Anusionwu with 5:50 left in the half.
A layup by senior Jason Johnson and a 3-pointer by Westley Telfare gave SC State a 13 point advantage, 32-19 and closed out the first-half.
SC State started the second-half just like the first pushing the lead to 17, 38-21 off a tip-in by Westley Telfare at the 17:32 mark. A 3-pointer by C.J. Reed would bring Bethune-Cookman with nine, 44-35 with 9:52 left in the game.
Bethune pulled within six, 54-48 off a layup by Jerry Jones with 4:32 left. Free-throws would be the deciding factor down the stretch as South Carolina State hit 10-18 from the line to clinch a 65-53 victory over Bethune-Cookman.
Senior Jessie Burton, Freshman Jimmy Williams, and sophomore Westley Telfare all chipped in 13 each in the victory.
South Carolina State improves to 14-13 on the season and 9-6 in the MEAC, while Bethune-Cookman drops to 14-15 overall, 8-7 in the league.
South Carolina State will close out its regular season home game Monday against Florida A&M at Smith-Hammond- Middleton Memorial Center. Tip-off for the women is 5:30 p.m, with the men following at 7:30 p.m.
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